2014: Dylan Larkin
2013: Ryan Pulock
2012: Codi Ceci
2011: JT Miller
2010: Derek Forbort
2009: Peter Holland
2008: Erik Karlsson
2007: Alex Plante
2006: Riku Helinus
2005: Ryan O'Marra
2004: Alexander Radulov
2003: Robert Nilsson
Mixed bag of prospects there, seems to have gotten better lately though as I would love either Larkin or Pulock.
2014: Dylan Larkin
2013: Ryan Pulock
2012: Codi Ceci
2011: JT Miller
2010: Derek Forbort
2009: Peter Holland
2008: Erik Karlsson
2007: Alex Plante
2006: Riku Helinus
2005: Ryan O'Marra
2004: Alexander Radulov
2003: Robert Nilsson
Mixed bag of prospects there, seems to have gotten better lately though as I would love either Larkin or Pulock.
I would tend to agree that Bennett should be a center but he's found early NHL success at LW. It's a coin flip on Bennett being a full time C in the NHL.
But I don't see a viable C option @15 in the draft.
50/50 chance he plays at center his career or just next season?
If it's career we're going to need an explanation.
The Treliving/Burke managed Flames went after KHL free agent Artemi Panarin who is probably no bigger than Gaudreau.
If they think the skill level can overcome the size disadvantage, they have no problems.
I hope so.
If you look at the BlackHawks, they're not a "truculent" team but they're a damn good team.
The Lightning might still be the most potent team in the league period, and could very well beat the Ducks in the final.
Our biggest weakness last season wasn't being too small at forward, but that we couldn't get or sustain possession. Some of our worst possession players on the team are bigger guys like Colborne, Engelland, Bollig, and Bouma while some of our better possession players last season have been guys like Gaudreau, Byron, Jooris, and Backlund.
__________________
"May those who accept their fate find happiness. May those who defy it find glory."
Last edited by GranteedEV; 05-11-2015 at 03:20 PM.
That's why I think Justin Williams is perfect. He's a winner with a Conn Smythe trophy, a RW and he would be free to acquire (just cap). Veteran with experience, but not too old (he's 33) so he could play for 3-4 years if necessary. It would also give the Flames a legit second attack unit instead of shoehorning whatever young player into that role.
With Williams you're going to be paying for what he's done in the past, not what he's going to do in the future. He's another Amonte/Bertuzzi/Nolan. He's 6'1", but he doesn't play a heavy game. And he's injury-prone. Stay away.
I'd rather spend the money building up depth on defence. Michalek or Oduya would fit the bill.
__________________
Quote:
Originally Posted by fotze
If this day gets you riled up, you obviously aren't numb to the disappointment yet to be a real fan.
The Following 12 Users Say Thank You to CliffFletcher For This Useful Post:
Some of our worst possession players on the team are bigger guys like Colborne, Engelland, Bollig, and Bouma while some of our better possession players last season have been guys like Gaudreau, Byron, Jooris, and Backlund.
The bolded are never, ever going to be possession players, nor are they expected to be.
Colborne is still young and looked immensely improved at possessing the puck as the season went along.
Expecting a team that is largely driven by players in their early 20s to excel at puck possession at this stage is very premature.
Part of the problem with having challenges in possession of the puck comes to having nobody that can win a faceoff. When that is addressed those numbers will be improved.
__________________ Fireside Chat - The #1 Flames Fan Podcast - FiresideChat.ca
I want to target a player and trade up in the draft. We have lots of assets available that other teams would be interested in bundled with 15. If you look at our prospect pool we could lose a Granlund or a Klimchuk and one of our seconds to really get a player that management and fans are excited to have instead of whats leftover.
We should always take Quality over Quantity
The Following 4 Users Say Thank You to Yanda For This Useful Post:
I want to target a player and trade up in the draft. We have lots of assets available that other teams would be interested in bundled with 15. If you look at our prospect pool we could lose a Granlund or a Sieloff and one of our seconds to really get a player that management and fans are excited to have instead of whats leftover.
We should always take Quality over Quantity
What team would rather have Granlund and the 15th instead of said player????
If you look at the BlackHawks, they're not a "truculent" team but they're a damn good team.
The Lightning might still be the most potent team in the league period, and could very well beat the Ducks in the final.
Our biggest weakness last season wasn't being too small at forward, but that we couldn't get or sustain possession. Some of our worst possession players on the team are bigger guys like Colborne, Engelland, Bollig, and Bouma while some of our better possession players last season have been guys like Gaudreau, Byron, Jooris, and Backlund.
I agree for the most part, but I do feel like the Ducks series showed we were too small in some areas.
We really struggled with their ability to control pucks below the hashmarks and along the boards and a lot of that is attributed to our lack of size.
Really it's not about all one way or the other, the Flames just need better balance.
Part of the problem with having challenges in possession of the puck comes to having nobody that can win a faceoff. When that is addressed those numbers will be improved.
Agreed, though we actually weren't terrible.
Monahan was vastly improved this year until he wasn't (we'll find out what upper body injury he's been nursing shortly). He was still just about 50% on the year. Stajan was over 50% on the year. Colborne was 52%. Even Jooris was almost 50%. Granlund was terribad at 37% and Backlund needs definite improvement for a 3rd line center though 48% isn't the worst.
Room for improvement for sure but I don't think this is the root cause of our possession numbers being poor. I think that's more the result of the systems they play and I'm not worried about it.
Monahan was vastly improved this year until he wasn't (we'll find out what upper body injury he's been nursing shortly). He was still just about 50% on the year. Stajan was over 50% on the year. Colborne was 52%. Even Jooris was almost 50%. Granlund was terribad at 37% and Backlund needs definite improvement for a 3rd line center though 48% isn't the worst.
Room for improvement for sure but I don't think this is the root cause of our possession numbers being poor. I think that's more the result of the systems they play and I'm not worried about it.
I think Colborne and Monahan will be just fine at faceoffs. If Bennett plays C, I'm interested in seeing what he can do. And by all accounts Shore isn't bad.
I think we should stand pat at 15, or even trade down depending on the offer. It will cost way too much to move up even a few spots in this draft, and there will be a good player at 15 anyways.
The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to JohnnySkittles For This Useful Post:
I would tend to agree that Bennett should be a center but he's found early NHL success at LW. It's a coin flip on Bennett being a full time C in the NHL.
But I don't see a viable C option @15 in the draft.
Disagree. Bennett has a solid enough 2 way game that he will be a centre in the NHL. It is too important a position and he should play the position he was drafted. They had him on the wing to start but by the end of the playoffs he was playing center in Jorris's spot outside for shifts where he was moved up the lineup. I don't think it is a coin flip at all he will be a centre
I think we should stand pat at 15, or even trade down depending on the offer. It will cost way too much to move up even a few spots in this draft, and there will be a good player at 15 anyways.
Tough to gauge the price. If moving up 5 spots costs a second it could be worth it if our guy is still available
Tough to gauge the price. If moving up 5 spots costs a second it could be worth it if our guy is still available
I think moving from 15 to 10 would cost more then just a 2nd, I have no idea on the price on it but I would imagine it would be steeper then that. From all that I've seen there's a clear cut top 12 or so, and then it drops off. So I think any team around top 10 wouldn't be very open to moving their pick outside of an overpayment.
